Device for supporting a milking member

ABSTRACT

The invention refers to a device for supporting a milking member in a milking stall ( 1 ) and to a milking stall arrangement. The milking member includes a claw ( 8 ), a number of teacups ( 9 ) connected to the claw, and a long conduit member ( 11, 12 ) connecting the claw to a milk-receiving member ( 7 ). The stall includes an enclosing structure ( 2 ) defining a space ( 3 ) for an animal to be milked, and a passage ( 4 ) permitting the animal to enter and/or exit the space. The device ( 15 ) includes an arm ( 16 ), which has a first end portion and a second end portion and is pivotable between an active milking position and a retracted position between milking operations. The arm includes a member ( 25 ) for supporting the milking member in the active and inactive positions. A first stop ( 41, 23 ) defines the active position of the arm and a second stop ( 42, 23 ) defines the inactive position of the arm.

THE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART

[0001] The present invention refers to a device for supporting a milkingmember in a milking stall according to the preamble portion of claim 1.Furthermore, the present invention refers to a milking stall arrangementaccording to the preamble portion of claim 20.

[0002] It is known to provide such a device for supporting a milkingmember in different types of milking stall arrangements, such as singlemilking stalls, tandem milking stalls, rotary milking parlours, etc.Furthermore, such devices including a pivotable arm are known. The armmay be pivotably attached at one end and arranged to carry the milkingmember at the other end. Usually, such arms are provided in such a waythat they are freely pivotable within a certain area. Problems haveoccurred when such an arm is located in the area of the passage leadingto and from the space of the milking stall, since the arm, the milkingmember and the milk hose is not always properly out of the way for a cowentering and exiting the stall. Thereby, the milking equipment, i.e. themilking member, the milk hose and also the arm can be damaged and,furthermore, the animal can be injured when hitting the milkingequipment.

[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 3,938,470 discloses a movable arm device forsupporting a milking member during the milking operation and in themeantime between the milking operations. The arm device includes severalarms being pivotably connected to each other.

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 4,491,085 discloses another movable arm forsupporting a milking member by carrying a long milk conduit of themilking member.

[0005] EP-A-91 892 discloses a movable arm for supporting the teatcupsin connection with automatic attachment of the teatcups to the teats ofan animal to be milked.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The object of the invention is to overcome the problems describedabove. Consequently, the invention aims at an improved positioning andsupport device for the milking member and the long milk conduit.

[0007] This object is obtained by the device initially defined, which ischaracterised in that it includes first stop means defining the activeposition of the arm and second stop means defining the inactive positionof the arm.

[0008] By such well-defined active positions for the arm it is possibleto obtain a proper position and steady support for the milking memberduring milking of an animal. By such a well-defined retracted, inactiveposition it is possible to ensure a proper retraction of the arm when ananimal is to enter or exit the stall via the passage in such a mannerthat the arm and the milking member is completely out of the way for theanimal.

[0009] According to an embodiment of the invention, the first stop meansincludes a first stop member, provided on one of the arm and theenclosing structure, and a first stop surface, provided on the other ofthe arm and the enclosing structure, wherein the first stop member isarranged to abut the first stop surface to define the active position.The second stop means may include a second stop member, provided on oneof the arm and the enclosing structure, and a second stop surface,provided on the other of the arm and the enclosing structure, whereinthe second stop member is arranged to abut the second stop surface todefine the inactive position. In such a manner the extreme positions ofthe arm may be well defined, wherein the arm may be pivoted or rotatedbetween these positions. Advantageously, the first stop member and thesecond stop member are provided on the arm, wherein the first stopmember is provided on one side of the arm and the second stop member isprovided the other, opposite side of the arm. Thereby, the position ofthe stop members in relation to the axial extension of the arm maydetermine the active position and the inactive position. Moreover, thefirst stop member may include a first projection extending from said oneside of the arm and the second stop member may include a secondprojection extending from said other side of the arm. Thereby, length ofthe projections determines the active position and the inactiveposition.

[0010] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the arm inthe active position extends to a milking position in the passage, and inthe inactive, retracted position is retracted from the passage, therebypermitting the animal to enter and/or exit the space. Advantageously,such a milking position, i.e. the position of the distal end portion ofthe arm, is substantially immediately behind the animal to be milked,from where the teatcups may be attached to the teats in a convenientmanner and where the milking member may be supported in an advantageousmanner during the milking operation.

[0011] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the deviceincludes a connecting member which is attached to the enclosingstructure and to which the first proximal end portion of the arm ispivotably connected. Advantageously, the connecting member may beattached to the enclosing structure in the proximity of the passage,wherein the arm may be pivoted or rotated between the active position inthe passage or the inactive position outside the passage. To this end,the connecting member is preferably positioned outside the space.Furthermore, the connecting member may be attached to an outer wallportion of the enclosing structure, wherein the outer wall portionextends in a direction away from the space.

[0012] According to a further embodiment of the invention, said firststop surface and said second stop surface are formed by the outer wallportion. In such a manner the positions of the arm may be defined bymeans of the enclosing structure.

[0013] According to a further embodiment of the invention, saidsupporting means of the arm includes a holding member arranged to holdthe long conduit member of the milking member. By supporting the milkingmember in such a manner, the claw may hang down from the udder to exerta certain pulling force to the teats. Thereby, the milking member mayinclude a lifting cord attached to and extending along the long conduitmember, wherein the holding member is arranged to engage the liftingcord. Advantageously, the holding member is provided at the second endportion of the arm.

[0014] According to a further embodiment of the invention, a retractingdevice is provided for retracting the arm from the active position tothe inactive position after a milking operation. The retracting devicemay include an actuator and a pulling cord connected to the actuator andto the milking member, wherein the arm includes a guiding memberarranged to guide the pulling cord during the retraction of the arm. Insuch a manner the arm is retracted to the inactive position at the sametime as the milking member is removed from the udder and pulled out ofthe way for the animal. The guiding member may be provided at the secondend portion of the arm. Consequently, the arm guides the milking memberduring the whole detachment and retraction of the milking member fromthe udder of the animal.

[0015] According to a further embodiment of the invention, theconnecting member includes a bearing rod to be attached to the enclosingstructure, and a sleeve attached to the first proximal end of the armand arranged to be rotatably mounted on the bearing rod.

[0016] The object is also obtained by the milking stall arrangementinitially defined, which is characterised in that the device includesfirst stop means defining the active position of the arm and second stopmeans defining the inactive position of the arm. Such a milking stallarrangement may include a plurality of milking stalls arranged indifferent configurations, and advantageously the arrangement may includea rotary milking parlour on which a plurality of such milking stalls areprovided. Thereby, each milking stall extends along a longitudinal axisbetween a forward end and a rearward end, the passage being located atthe rearward end. The milking stalls may be arranged in such a way thatthe longitudinal axes thereof extend substantially radially with regardto a rotary axis of the parlour, wherein the enclosing structureincludes outer wall portions extending between adjacent milking stallsand being associated with a respective one of said devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The present invention is now to be described more closely by thedescription of different embodiments and with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which

[0018]FIG. 1 discloses a support device according to the presentinvention,

[0019]FIG. 2 discloses a milking stall having a support device in anactive position.

[0020]FIG. 3 discloses the milking stall of FIG. 1 with the supportdevice in an inactive position.

[0021]FIG. 4 discloses a milking stall arrangement having a plurality ofmilking stalls each being associated with a respective support deviceaccording to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DIFFERENT EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0022]FIGS. 2 and 3 disclose schematically from above a milking stall 1for milking an animal, in the example disclosed a cow. The milking stall1 includes an enclosing structure 2 defining a space 3 for the cow to bemilked and a passage 4 permitting the cow to enter and exit the space 3.The milking stall 1 disclosed in FIGS. 2 and 3 refers to a single stallfor housing one cow. However, according to the invention, a plurality ofsuch milking stalls 1 may be arranged adjacent to each other to form amilking stall arrangement. FIG. 4 discloses an example of such a milkingstall arrangement in the form of a so called rotary milking parlour 5including a plurality of milking stalls 1 arranged adjacent to eachother in a circular configuration.

[0023] The milking stall 1 is associated with a milking machine 6, whichis known per se and may have a conventional design. The milking machine6 includes a milk-receiving member 7 and a milking member. The milkingmember includes a claw 8, four teatcups 9 connected to the claw 8 by arespective short milk conduit 10, a long milk conduit 11 and long pulseconduits 12. The long milk conduit 11 and the long pulse conduits 12form a long conduit member, connecting the claw 8 to the milk-receivingmember 7.

[0024] A support device 15 is provided for supporting the milking memberduring milking of the cow and in the meantime between milkingoperations. The support device 15 is disclosed more closely in FIG. 1.The support device 15 includes an arm 16 which has a first proximal endportion 16 a and a second distal end portion 16 b. The arm 16 ispivotable or rotatable between an active position during a milkingoperation, disclosed in FIG. 2, and an inactive, retracted positionbetween milking operations, disclosed in FIG. 3. The arm 16 may beformed by an elongated member, for instance, a pipe having alongitudinal centre axis y.

[0025] The support device 15 includes a connecting member 17, which isattached to the enclosing structure 2. The first proximal end portion 16a of the arm 16 is pivotably or rotatably connected to the connectingmember 17. The connecting member 17 includes a bearing rod 18 to beattached to the enclosing structure 2. The bearing rod 18 issubstantially circular cylindrical in a cross-section and extendssubstantially vertically. The arm 16 includes a sleeve 19 attached tothe first proximal end portion 16 a of the arm 16 and intended toreceive the bearing rod 18 in such a manner that the arm 16 is rotatablymounted on the bearing rod 18.

[0026] The space 3 of the milking stall 1 has a forward end 21 and arearward end 22. The space 3 extends along a longitudinal axis x betweensaid forward end 21 and said rearward end 22. The passage 24 is providedat the rearward end 22. The enclosure structure 2 includes wall portionsdefining said space 3 and an outer wall portion 23 extending in adirection away from the space 3. In the embodiment disclosed in FIGS. 2and 3, the outer wall portion 23 extends substantially vertically and ina direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis x. Theconnecting member 18 is positioned outside the space 3 in the proximityof the passage 4 by being attached to the outer wall portion 23 of theenclosing structure 2.

[0027] The support arm 16 includes a holding member 25 arranged tosupport the long milk conduit 11 and the long pulse conduits 12.Thereby, the holding member 25 includes a hook-like member forming anopen loop arranged to receive a lifting cord 26 of the conduits 11, 12.The lifting cord may be realised by a cord, a chain, a wire or anysimilar elongated element. The lifting cord 26 is attached to andextends along the conduits 11 and 12. The lifting cord 26 is attached tothe conduits 11, 12 at several positions. By this arrangement, the claw8 is carried to a certain extent by means of the arm 16 although theclaw is not rigidly connected to the arm 16. Consequently, the claw 8and the teatcups 9 may hang substantially vertically downwardly from theteats of the cow when the milking member is attached to the animal.

[0028] Furthermore, a retracting device is provided for retracting thearm from the active position disclosed in FIG. 2 to the inactiveposition disclosed in FIG. 3. The retracting device includes an actuator30 and a pulling cord 31, which is connected to the actuator 30 and tothe claw 8 of the milking member, and which may be realised by a cord, achain, a wire or the like. Consequently, the retracting device 30, 31also will function as a remover for removing the milking member from theteats when the milking operation is finished. To enable a properfunctioning of the retracting and removing device 30, 31, the pullingcord 31 is guided through a guiding member 32 attached to the second,distal end 16 b of the support arm 16. A guiding member 32 includes aneyelet or a ring, through which the pulling cord 31 runs. The pullingcord 31 includes a stopper 33 which has a dimension exceeding thediameter of the ring of the guiding member 32. The stopper 33 isprovided between the guiding member 32 and the claw 8. When the pullingcord 31 is retracted by the actuator 30 and the stopper 33 has reachedthe guiding member 32, a continuing retraction of the actuator 30 willforce the arm 16 from the active position to the inactive position.

[0029] The support device 15 includes first stop means defining theactive position of the arm 16 and second stop means defining theinactive position of the arm 16. The first stop means includes a firststop member 41, which is provided on the arm 16 and which is arranged toabut a first stop surface defined by the outer wall portion 23 in orderto define the active position. Moreover, the second stop means includesa second stop member 42 provided on the arm 16 and arranged to abut asecond stop surface defined by the outer wall portion 23 in order todefine the inactive position of the arm 16. The first stop member 41 andthe second stop member 42 are provided at the first, proximal endportion 16 a of the arm 16. The first stop member 41 is provided on oneside of the arm 16 and the second stop member 42 is provided on theother opposite side of the arm 16. The first stop member 41 includes afirst projection extending from said one side of the arm 16 and thesecond stop member 42 includes a second projection extending from saidother side of the arm 16. In the embodiment disclosed, the stop members41, 42 are realised by substantially circular cylindrical rods extendingvertically and being welded to the arm 16. As appears from the figures,the first stop member 41 is provided at a greater distance along thelongitudinal axis y of the arm 16 from the first end of the arm 16 thanthe second stop member 42. In such a way, the angle of inclinationbetween the longitudinal axis y of the arm 16 and the substantiallyplanar outer wall portion 23 is significantly smaller in the activeposition than in the inactive position. Consequently, as appears fromFIGS. 2 and 3, the arm 16 in the active position extends to a milkingposition in the passage 4 and substantially immediately behind the cowto be milked. In the inactive position, the arm 16 is clearly retractedfrom the passage 4, thereby permitting the animal to enter and exit thespace 3.

[0030] As mentioned above, FIG. 4 discloses another embodiment of theinvention including a rotary milking parlour 5 having a plurality ofmilking stalls 1 each being provided with a support device as describedin connection with FIGS. 1-3. The support devices 15 are attached toouter wall portions 23 of the rotary milking parlour 5, which wallportions 23 extend between adjacent milking stalls 1.

[0031] The present invention is not limited to the embodiment disclosedbut may be varied and modified within the scope of the following claims.For instance, the arm 16 does not need to have the straight extension asdisclosed in the figures but may be at least slightly curved. Moreover,the arm 16 may have another than a circular cross-section, for instancea square cross-section. The support device 15 disclosed may be used inconnection with milking stalls of a plurality of differentconfigurations and not only the milking stall configuration disclosed inthis application. The support device does not have to be attached to awall portion of an enclosing structure but may for instance be attachedto a substantially planar plate attached to any rigid element in theproximity of a milking stall.

[0032] Although the stop members 41 and 42 are provided on the arm 16,it is to be noted that they may be provided on the wall portion 23 aswell. It is also possible within the scope of the claims to provide oneof the stop members 41, 42 on the arm 16 and the other on the wallportion 23.

1. A device for supporting a milking member in a milking stall (1), themilking member including a claw (8), a number of teatcups (9) connectedto the claw (8) by a respective short milk conduit (10), and a longconduit member (11, 12) connecting the claw (8) to a milk-receivingmember (7) of a milking machine (6), the milking stall (1) including anenclosing structure (2) defining a space (3) for an animal to be milked,and a passage (4) permitting the animal to enter and/or exit the space(3), the device (15) including an arm (16), which has a first proximalend portion (16 a) and a second distal end portion (16 b) and which ispivotable between an active position during a milking operation and aninactive, retracted position between milking operations, the arm (16)including means for supporting the milking member in the active positionand the inactive position, the device (15) including first stop means(41, 23) defining the active position of the arm and second stop means(42, 23) defining the inactive position of the arm, characterised inthat said supporting means of the arm includes a holding member (25),which is arranged to hold the long conduit member (11, 12) of themilking member and is provided at the second end portion (16 a) of thearm (16)
 2. A device according to claim 1, characterised in that thefirst stop means includes a first stop member (41), provided on one ofthe arms (16) and the enclosing structure (2), and a first stop surface(23), provided on the other of the arm and the enclosing structure,wherein the first stop member (41) is arranged to abut the first stopsurface (23) to define the active position. (2), and a second stopsurface (23), provided on the other of the arms (16) and the enclosingstructure (2), wherein the second stop member (42) is arranged to abutthe second stop surface (23) to define the inactive position.
 4. Adevice according to claim 3, characterised in that the first stop member(41) and the second stop member (42) are provided on the arm (16),wherein the first stop member (41) is provided on one side of the arm(16) and the second stop member (42) is provided on the other oppositeside of the arm (16).
 5. A device according to claim 4, characterised inthat the first stop member (41) includes a first projection extendingfrom said one side of the arm (16) and the second stop member (42)includes a second projection extending from said other side of the arm(16).
 6. A device according to any one of the preceding claims,characterised in that the arm (16) in the active position extends to amilking position in the passage (4), and in the inactive, retractedposition is retracted from the passage (4) thereby permitting the animalto enter and/or exit the space (3).
 7. A device according to claim 6,characterised in that the milking position is substantially immediatelybehind the animal to be milked.
 8. A device according to any one of thepreceding claims, characterised in that the device (15) includes aconnecting member (17) which is attached to the enclosing structure andto which the first proximal end portion (16 a) of the arm (16) ispivotably connected.
 3. A device according to claim 2, characterised inthat the second stop means includes a second stop member (42), providedon one of the arms (16) and the enclosing structure (2), and a secondstop surface (23), provided on the other of the arms (16) and theenclosing structure (2), wherein the second stop member (42) is arrangedto abut the second stop surface (23) to define the inactive position. 4.A device according to claim 3, characterised in that the first stopmember (41) and the second stop member (42) are provided on the arm(16), wherein the first stop member (41) is provided on one side of thearm (16) and the second stop member (42) is provided on the otheropposite side of the arm (16).
 5. A device according to claim 4,characterised in that the first stop member (41) includes a firstprojection extending from said one side of the arm (16) and the secondstop member (42) includes a second projection extending from said otherside of the arm (16).
 6. A device according to any one of the precedingclaims, characterised in that the arm (16) in the active positionextends to a milking position in the passage (4), and in the inactive,retracted position is retracted from the passage (4) thereby permittingthe animal to enter and/or exit the space (3).
 7. A device according toclaim 6, characterised in that the milking position is substantiallyimmediately behind the animal to be milked.
 8. A device according to anyone of the preceding claims, characterised in that the device (15)includes a connecting member (17) which is attached to the enclosingstructure and to which the first proximal end portion (16 a) of the arm(16) is pivotably connected.
 9. A device according to claim 8,characterised in that the connecting member (18) is attached to theenclosing structure (2) in the proximity of the passage (4).
 10. Adevice according to claim 9, characterised in that the connecting member(18) is positioned outside the space (3).
 11. A device according toclaim 10, characterised in that the connecting member (18) is attachedto an outer wall portion (23) of the enclosing structure (2), whereinthe outer wall portion (23) extends in a direction away from the space(3).
 12. A device according to claims 3 and 11, characterised in thatsaid first stop surface and said second stop surface are formed by theouter wall portion.
 13. A device according to any one of the precedingclaims, characterised in that the milking member includes a lifting cord(26) attached to and extending along the long conduit member (11, 12),wherein the holding member is arranged to engage the lifting cord.
 14. Adevice according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised inthat a retracting device (30, 31) is provided for retracting the armfrom the active position to the inactive position after a milkingoperation.
 15. A device according to claim 14, characterised in that theretracting device includes an actuator (30) and a pulling cord (31)connected to the actuator (30) and to the milking member (8), whereinthe arm (16) includes a guiding member (32) arranged to guide thepulling cord (31) during the retraction of the arm (16).
 16. A deviceaccording to any one of claims 14 and 15, characterised in that theguiding member (32) is provided at the second end portion (16 b) of thearm (16).
 17. A device according to any one of the preceding claims,characterised in that the connecting member (17) includes a bearing rod(18) to be attached to the enclosing structure (2), and a sleeve (19)attached to the first proximal end (16 a) of the arm (16) and arrangedto be rotatably mounted on the bearing rod (18).
 18. A milking stallarrangement including at least one milking member including a claw (8),a number of teatcups (9) connected to the claw (8) by a respective shortconduit member (10), and a long conduit member (11) connecting the clawto a milk-receiving member (7) of a milking machine, at least onemilking stall (1) including an enclosing structure defining a space (3)for an animal to be milked, and a passage (4) permitting the animal toenter and/or exit the space, at least one support device (15) includingan arm (16), which has a first proximal end portion (16 a) and a seconddistal end portion (16 b) and which is pivotable between an activeposition during a milking operation and an inactive, retracted positionbetween milking operations, the arm (16) including means for supportingthe milking member in the active position and the inactive position, thedevice (15) including first stop means (41, 23) defining the activeposition of the arm and second stop means (42, 23) defining the inactiveposition of the arm, characterised in that said supporting means of thearm includes a holding member (25), which is arranged to hold the longconduit member (11, 12) of the milking member and is provided at thesecond end portion (16 a) of the arm (16).
 19. A milking stallarrangement according to claim 18, characterised in that the arrangementincludes a rotary parlour (5) on which a plurality of such milkingstalls (1) are provided.
 20. A milking stall arrangement according toclaim 18, characterised in that each milking stall (1) extends along alongitudinal axis (x) between a forward end (21) and a rearward end(22), the passage (4) being located at the rearward end (22).
 21. Amilking stall arrangement according to claim 20, characterised in thatthe milking stalls (1) are arranged in such a way that the longitudinalaxes (x) thereof extend substantially radially with regard to a rotaryaxis of the parlour (5), wherein the enclosing structure (2) includesouter wall portions (23) extending between adjacent milking stalls (1)and being associated with a respective one of said devices.